Huddersfield Giants have completed a swap deal with Castleford
Tigers that will take Joe Wardle back to the John Smith’s Stadium in
exchange for Jordan Rankin.

The club say it is a loan move with a view to becoming a permanent arrangement.

Wardle, who made 125 Betfred Super League appearances for the Giants from 2011-2016, will fly back from Castleford’s training camp in Lanzarote in time to link up with his new club on Monday.

Wardle, 27, who joined the Tigers a year ago after cutting short his spell with Australian club Newcastle Knights, will be united with his 20-year-old brother Jake, who has been given the Giants squad number 20 for the 2019 season.

“The move came about very quickly within the last 24 hours and we’ll be delighted to bring Joe back."

Joe Wardle re-joins the Claret and Gold from @CTRLFC on an initial one-year loan swap deal, with Jordan Rankin moving the other way.

“He is a fantastic competitor who can provide options in a number of positions and further strengthens our backline, so we can’t wait for him to get started with us.”

The signing of Rankin is not connected to Castleford’s possible pursuit of a new half-back after they were granted salary cap dispensation following the loss of Luke Gale with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Huddersfield’s former New Zealand Warriors prop Sebastine Ikahihifo had been linked with a move to the Tigers but Woolford says he remains in his plans for the new season.

🐯| More news coming out of the Tigers tonight!

We can now confirm further details on Luke Gale’s injury and that the club has been granted salary cap relief from @TheRFL. This has not been used to bring Jordan Rankin into the club.

The RFL

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